DARK KNIGHT

CRASH CHAOS

“The M9 crash, chaos in control rooms, the back-filling of civilian roles by officers, the near misses, armed police on routine duties — all these issues were exposed in part through the assistance of police staff and officers who cared about the future of the police service.

“A declaration of their media and political contacts is designed to snuff out such contacts rather than to aid transparency — it would have a chilling effect and would enable those in charge to escape the necessary scrutiny.

“The Justice Secretary and Scottish Police Authority should intervene to ensure the police hierarchy aren’t free to silence internal critics.” Since the formation of Police Scotland in 2013, whistleblowers and journalists have exposed a catalogue of major problems behind the scenes.

Crises included revelations of shambolic confusion in control hubs after the 2015 M9 tragedy, when Lamara Bell, 25, was left dying beside dead partner John Yuill, 28, after a 101 call was bungled.

But now cops who breach the new “standard operating procedure” and fail to declare their contacts, could face disciplinary action up to including sacking.

The force’s head of professional standards insisted the rules wouldn’t affect issues being raised through an internal scheme.

Chief Superintendent Alan Speirs added: “The guidance in standard operating procedures has undergone a human rights equality impact assessment. We also provide guidance in relation to whistleblowing that is designed to reassure and support employees who wish to provide information in relation to matters that concern them.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The guidance is an operational matter for police.

“It is right that public services recognise the importance of engaging with MSPs, journalists as well as other key stakeholders.

“We also believe it’s important staff are provided with a safe space to discuss concerns and promote an open and transparent reporting culture across all levels of the service.”

What the rules say

The following people are among those targeted by Report of Notifiable Assocation rules:

Person with criminal convictions and/or charged with a criminal offence

Member of the Media/Press and those working in active investigatory research, or information presentation fields of the Press

Members of any political party where the membership involves playing an active part in politics